Al Fayed accusedof 'raping staff over decades'

The late Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed sexually abused female staff at his London department store Harrods, forced them to have medical screenings and threatened consequences if they tried to complain, lawyers for alleged victims said on Friday.

One woman who had worked for Fayed at the luxury Knightsbridge store called him "a monster". Harrods apologised on Thursday after more than 20 women told the BBC Al Fayed – who died last year aged 94 – had sexually abused and in some cases raped them.

"Underneath Harrods glitz and glamour was a toxic, unsafe and abusive environment," lawyer Gloria Allred told a press conference. She said the allegations included serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery and sexual abuse of minors, perpetrated over 25 years.

Another lawyer, Dean Armstrong, said they were representing 37 women and that number would likely grow. According to a BBC documentary which aired on Thursday, Harrods failed to intervene and helped to cover up abuse allegations during Al Fayed's ownership between 1985 and 2010.

Lawyer Maria Mulla said once female employees were selected for jobs like secretary or private assistant, they would undergo medical examinations, such as cervical and ovaries screenings. "If the women would query why the tests were necessary, they would be told...he wants to make sure that you are clean," Mulla said. Workers were threatened if they tried to complain about the abuse, she said.

Harrods said it was "utterly appalled" by the allegations. "These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power," Harrods said in a statement. The department store said it is now a "very different organisation".